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Special Grand Jury Probe into Death of Mentally Ill Inmate

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) - A Virginia prosecutor is seeking to convene a special grand jury to investigate the 2015 death of a mentally ill inmate who was jailed on charges of stealing $5 worth of junk food.

Portsmouth Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Morales filed a motion with the Portsmouth Circuit Court on Wednesday requesting a special grand jury in Jamycheal Mitchell's case.

Mitchell died at the Hampton Roads Regional Jail a few months after his arrest. A medical examiner said the 24-year-old died from heart failure accompanied by severe weight loss.

Mitchell's family alleges in a civil lawsuit that correctional officials physically abused him and withheld food.

The Justice Department launched an investigation into the jail in December. Federal officials said the probe would focus on whether the jail violated the rights of mentally ill inmates.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.